You've been told you grind your teeth. Your dentist recommended a bite guard — sometimes called an occlusal splint. Here's what it does, how it's different from a sports guard, and whether it actually works.

A bite guard is a custom-made appliance that fits over your teeth, usually your upper teeth. You wear it at night (and sometimes during the day if you clench a lot). It creates a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, cushioning the forces from grinding and clenching.

A bite guard doesn't stop you from grinding — that's controlled by your brain and jaw muscles, not something a piece of plastic can override. What it does is protect your teeth from the damage grinding causes.

When you grind, the guard absorbs and redistributes the forces across your teeth. This helps prevent the flattening of tooth surfaces, reduces the risk of cracks and fractures, and can ease the strain on your jaw joints and muscles.

Many people also find they wake up with less jaw tension or headache when they consistently wear their bite guard.

Yes — they're quite different. A sports guard is designed to absorb impact during contact sports. It's made to protect your teeth from a single hard blow. You don't wear it every night for years.

A bite guard (occlusal splint) is designed for long-term, nightly use. It's thinner, more precisely fitted to your teeth, and engineered to spread the forces from grinding evenly. Wearing a sports guard every night would be uncomfortable and could even worsen clenching in some cases.

Your dentist will make a custom-fitted bite guard for you — one designed specifically for this purpose.

The evidence is good. Custom-fitted bite guards are widely recommended by dentists and have a long track record of protecting teeth from grinding damage. They reduce tooth wear, lower the risk of fractures, and can help with symptoms like jaw pain and morning headaches.

Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards are available, but they're less effective. They don't fit as precisely, can be uncomfortable, and sometimes make clenching worse. For something you might wear every night for years, a custom guard is worth the investment.

Rinse it when you take it out in the morning. Brush it gently with a toothbrush — no toothpaste, as it can be abrasive. Store it in the provided case and keep it away from heat, which can warp the plastic. Your dentist will check it at your routine appointments and replace it when it shows signs of wear.

If you've been told you grind or clench your teeth, or if you've noticed flat, worn teeth, chips, or jaw pain in the mornings, ask your dentist about a bite guard at your next visit. It's one of the simplest, most effective things you can do to protect your teeth long-term.